Art critic and writer, teacher and painter, born in Hastingleigh, Kent. He studied at Camberwell School of Arts and Crafts, 1947–9, under William Coldstream and Victor Pasmore. Was senior lecturer at the Slade School of Fine Art, 1950–64; head of the department of fine art at Goldsmiths’ College, 1964–70; lecturer in the department of art at Reading University, 1971–2; visiting professor, Cooper Union, New York, 1973–4; associate dean, New York Studio School, 1974–5, visiting professor, 1975–02; professor of painting, Yale University, 1975–91, dean of the school of art, 1975–83, and William Leffingwell Professor of Painting, 1991–4 (emeritus). He held a number of official appointments, including trustee of the Tate Gallery, 1964–71 and 1972–4 and of the National Gallery, 1966–72.